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I would like a recommendation for normal high pressure spray gun. Good with nitro and water based. Guess that would mean stainless steel. I'm tired of cheap guns. I want the nozzles to be stainless as well. No more aluminum stuff. Or plated brass. Thanks!

Mike

I use a Walcom EGO HVLP with the 3M PPS cup system. Runs off of a standard compressor and uses about 29 psi. I spray both nitro and water based.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have been using one of these for several years now. I love it, perfect size for finishing guitars, very adjustable.
http://www.devilbisseu.com/en-gb/produc ... -spray-gun

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I bought an Iwata LPH 300 at Joe White's recommendation, and I use it with the 3M Paint Preparation System. I've used the large and small sized PPS cups and prefer the large because I don't have to add more finish after every session.

Nice thing about the Iwatta is how little pressure it requires. I'm usually set up around 17-20 PSI.

Not even sure if high pressure guns are readily available. Is there any reason you don't want an HVLP conversion gun at least?

I used Sata, which I'd use again if I didn't have my Fuji Minimite4. The cost savings in wasted lacquer and sanding labor will pay for the system.

My friend uses an Iwata in production to spray a gloss conversion varnish. If you're okay with HVLP guns, there are a lot of good ones, particularly the gravity feeds.

I'll be the first to state that I am totally confused by HVLP and all the other stuff out there. To the point of total frustration. So, here is what I have. I have a 60 gallon tank with a 3 HP piston compressor with intercooler. I have pressure regulators and dryers. The low pressure guns (cheapos) I have tried created to much orange peel. I just want a high quality gun that will not corrode. With excellent application high or low pressure. Guess I need an education on guns. I'll buy the stuff. Hope I've provided enough info. I've seen in the past some stainless steel guns. But can't remember the maker.

I'll just keep it simple - there is way too much info on net to cover conversion HVLP vs conventional.
Get a conversion HVLP, gravity feed. Buy a good one - I like Sata of course. My friend uses Iwata in production. There are many many others. Lots of adjustments including material volume, air volume, fan, atomization. They'll be in the $500 range, more give than take. . .

Note: 3 months ago, there wouldn't be a note. I got a Turbine HVLP, finally. Do some research, and although nothing beats spraying it yourself, the Fuji Minimite 4 is not louder than my vacuum cleaner, and super easy to use. I'm amazed at how small of a spray pattern the T75 gun can do. If you're serious, you'll look into a turbine. They've come a LONG way from a few years ago, and lays so much material on, with so little overspray - huge savings in lacquer. Huge. Kicker - quality of spray. Hit the Amazon button on top, and get it for less than $800. My other friends use a Q4, and one a Q3. I did the cheapie and got the Minimite. I don't regret it.

Aaron,

Thank you. I will get a turbine down the road, but not now. I just want a high quality spray gun (size suitable for guitars, touchup and full body spraying). Non-corroding if I use either nitro or waterbase. If you don't mind, a model number or two? I think the one you mentioned is for the turbine? Yes, still mildly confused.

BTW, just so I can understand, what does the term "conversion" mean? (in this context)

Mike

Sata Minijet 4400 b for touchups, Satajet 5000 B for full size.
There are others WAY cheaper, but if you want a specific touchup gun, you'll need more than one gun.

Conversion is basically any non-turbine HVLP - takes High Volume & Pressure and converts its to High Volume LOW PRESSURE inside the gun.

Personally, you can get a good finish with cheaper guns, just setup properly. You can probably find two guns in a "set" cheaper than 1 Sata. I'm just spoiled with the Sata.

Actually, now I'm spoiled with the Fuji (and I don't need a smaller gun).

I bought a devilbiss JGA 502 from Sears for about $100, long time ago. It is a pretty darn good gun. I use it for water based and nitro. It will cost more like 350 now but it would be worth it.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks! Got it now. I found a good resource that explains things in a way most can understand: http://www.solowoodworker.com/wood/spraygun.html

Mike

I'm in the same boat as mike. Is there any reason this fuji package wouldn't be a good budget minded choice for spraying nitro or wb laquers?
I know its only a two stage but would it not have enough juice for guitars?
http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-2203G-Semi-P ... spray+hvlp

I've used the Sata Minijets for years, have 3 and use them for oil and spirit varnish on mandolins. For sunbursts directly on the wood I use Iwata's with the ,05 needle with water base Trans-Tint and for clear lacquer, I just use the cheap Home Depot HVLP, works fine. Spray the lacq at about 30#, oil varnish in the minijet at about 40# and spirit at 20#.
To make the Home Depot ones work well, they have to be completely disassembled, checked for any flashing that might come loose and soaked in solvent. Lube them up when you put them back together with the proper lube. Then I usually spray a pint of alcohol through them. It's a good idea to check any gun, airbrush, even the Sata's and Iwata's for bits of flash before shooting your instrument. I've run into a few sparkles in the finish even with the best of guns. That one you never see till you buff it is the real SOB.

Not sure if they are on your side of the border but Lemmer out of Calgary, make a good quality, reasonably priced turbine kit~$550 C I think.
I have the T55 and it works quite well.

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Best investment in my shop in 2012 was decent spray gun. Night and day.
I settled on the SATA MiniJet HVLP, but lots of great suggestions here...

It is reasonable to expect a thread like this to diverge into compressors and turbines. From what I can tell, I want one of those Fuji 3-4 stage models. I can afford it. But what I really want is a gun I can use with my current big tank situation. Unless I'm reading this wrong. Because, I think I've read there are good Fuji combo units, 3 stage, WITH guns. But then, maybe I've been typing too much. $400-500 gun, HVLP complete gun and system. Good for bodies and touch up. Nitro and water based. Does such a beast exist?

Haans, what is flashing?

$400-500 will EASILY get you a good gun. Check out the Iwata I mentioned above.


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Thanks, I will. Hope it's got a lot of stainless. I say that because way back when, I did find such a gun, but sadly I can't recall the name or model. I'll get there soon.

Overhanging thin pieces of metal that formed where mold pieces came together. These and machining remnants will quickly clog passages and cause problems. The cheap guns get cheaper every year.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Everything get's cheaper every year...but it always costs more.

I bought a Fuji HVLP 12 years ago and have never looked back. Simple to use. I clean up in under a minute.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Fantastic! I'd really love to see a short video on that process. The reason I use rattle cans is mainly the clean up time.

Thanks in advance

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I simply trade pots with one with thinner in it, spray thinner through the system for about five seconds. Done. Really, that's it.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

I use the 3M PPS cups on my Walcom EGO HVLP gun and clean up is equally fast. I just pull and cap the cup then dump thinner in the gun with a squeeze bottle. Pretty much the same thing Doug is doing. Makes a huge difference in the workflow.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"